Monday, June 5, 2017

Kate Breslin: High as the Heavens


By Kelly Bridgewater

Welcome everyone!!!

Today, I have a special treat for you. Instead of just the review for Kate Breslin's latest novel, High as the Heavens,

I am doing a giveaway for HER PREVIOUS NOVEL, NOT BY SIGHT!!!!!

The giveaway runs into Sunday, June 11 at midnight. On Monday, June 12th, I will announce the winner here and email the winner!! Good luck to everyone!!!

Without further ado, here is my review of High as the Heavens:

In 1917, Evelyn Marche is just one of many women who has been widowed by the war. A British nurse trapped in German-occupied Brussels, she spends her days working at a hospital and her nights as a waitress in her aunt and uncle's café. Eve also has a carefully guarded secret keeping her in constant danger: She's a spy working for a Belgian resistance group in league with the British Secret Service.

When a British plane crashes in Brussels Park, Eve is the first to reach the downed plane and is shocked to discover she recognizes the badly injured pilot. British RFC Captain Simon Forrester is now a prisoner of war, and Eve knows he could be shot as a spy at any time. She risks her own life to hide him from the Germans, but as the danger mounts and the secrets between them grow, their chance of survival looks grim. And even if they do make it out alive, the truth of what lies between them may be more than any love can overcome.

From Amazon


My Thoughts:

Kate Breslin came onto the scene with For Such A Time. It was a great book that sparked a lot of national discussions. While I enjoyed her novel and didn't see anything wrong with the novel, I couldn't wait for more stories from Breslin. When she finished Not by Sight, I enjoyed that novel just as much. When I saw she was writing another novel, High as the Heavens, I couldn't wait to read this novel too. Luckily, Breslin knew what is expected from the genre and gives it to her readers.

The writing is clear and concise. I jumped back and forth from Eve and Simon's perspective a number of times, but Breslin allows there to be a break in the chapter or go to another chapter. As for the setting, I could imagine that I was in Brussels during the late 1917's. I could feel the hatred run through the characters as they dealt with the demons from their past.

The characters of Eve and Simon jumped off the page. Eve is a brave woman who tries to forget the horrors of what happened to her in her home town and tries to sneakily pass on secret messages to the allies. I admire her ability to work with and under the Germans while trying to betray them on a daily basis. Then enters Simon, Eve does everything she can to bring him back to health and then sneak out of the country without going back to Germany. As for Simon, he is a man who is injured and spends most of his time healing in a bed. I really can't say that much about him. Yes, he loves Eve, and he did do brave things before he became injured, but nothing changed in him. Both of them had a goal and they worked really hard to solve that goal. 

The plot started from the first chapter and kept moving. There were many moments in the hospital, trying to get Simon better. Majority of the plot focused on Eve and Simon connecting with each other.
The plot is an original one with enough action to keep me focused on the the occurrences around Eve and Simon. I enjoyed the original and unpredictable concept that Breslin wove into the story. It fascinated me, and I hadn't seen it done before. She kept me on my toes the whole time.

Fans of historical romances would be delighted to find another story to fit the World War I genre with a bit of spying to round out the plot. Fans of Myra Johnson's Till We Meet Again series might enjoy this new book by Breslin. Highly recommended.

I receive a complimentary copy of High as the Heavens by Kate Breslin from Bethany House Publishers and the opinions state are all my own.

My Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

***************GIVEAWAY**********************

Comment on this blog post to be entered to win a copy of Kate Breslin's previous novel Not by Sight! (Contest is open to residents of the USA only!) This contest runs from Monday, June 5th until Sunday, June 11th at midnight!! Good luck!!!

The Winner is . . . 

Susan Cornwell!!!! 

I sent a message through Facebook messager, so contact me ASAP!!! 


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23 comments:

  1. I love Kate's WWII books and have this one on my list to read, also. I'm sure she won't disappoint.

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    1. Thanks, Arletta!! Kate Breslin ' s High as the Heavens is a wonderful read, and I'm sure you will enjoy it too.

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    2. Thank you, Arletta! I hope you enjoy my WWI stories as well!

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  2. I have not read any of Kate Breslin's books. But I have heard they are good. Thanks for the chance to win.

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    1. Stephanie, you sure are in for a treat. Kate Breslin is a fantastic storyteller. I would love to know your opinion after you read one. Good luck!

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    2. Hi Stephanie, thanks for posting! I wish you the best on the contest!

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  3. I have loved both of Kate Breslin's books. Historical fiction is my favorite genre and I love how her stories take you into the middle of the action and make it feel real and personal

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    1. Thanks, Brittaney. I believe a good historical author does exactly that. Make you feel like you're there even though we live almost 100 years later. Good luck!

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    2. Thank you so much, Brittaney! I hope you'll get a chance to read High As The Heavens!

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  4. I read Kate's first book and loved it. I have read a lot of great reviews for this one. One of my favorite historical settings. Would love to win a copy!

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    1. Thanks, Susan. Kate Breslin is a wonderful author. Good luck!

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    2. Susan, thank you! I'm so glad you loved reading For Such A Time and I hope you'll enjoy Not By Sight, too!

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  5. I have not read any of Kate's books yet! This sounds like a good one to start with. 😊

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    1. Thanks, Tamara, you are in for a great treat. Kate ' s books are awesome. Good luck!!

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    2. Thanks for posting, Tamara! I hope you enjoy my stories, and good luck on the contest!

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  6. I would love a chance to win this book.

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  7. Not By Sight is such a fabulous book! It was my first book by Kate, and I'm definitely hooked! I can't wait to read High As the Heavens!

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    1. Thanks, Karen. High as the Heavens is a fabulous read! Good luck!

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  8. I love historical fiction and have learned so much from different authors over the years. I am sure the research they do is very time consuming, so I love being able to read about everything in a book that also has a little romance. :) Thank you for the opportunity to enter the giveaway and for the lovely review!

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    1. Thanks, Laura! I enjoy experiencing different time periods in historical fiction too. Good luck!

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  9. Not By Sight was AMAZING! I'm so excited to read High as the Heavens!

    Thank you for the wonderful interview and giveaway.

    psalm103and138 at gmail dot com

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